How is gender stratification related to rules of descent and postmarital residence?
Rules of descent and postmarital residence play key roles in determining the degree of gender stratification in a society. In matrilineal descent systems, descent group membership, succession to political office, allocation of land, and overall social identity all come through female links. As a result, gender stratification tends to be reduced in matrilineal societies. In contrast, gender stratification tends to be increased in patrilineal societies in large part due to the fact that descent group membership, succession to political office, allocation of land, and overall social identity are passed through male links. Matrilocality disperses related males and guarantees that women are close to her supportive kin networks. This reduces the frequency of domestic violence against women. Patrilocality isolates women from their supportive kin networks, rendering them less protected and more likely to be the victims of domestic violence. Gender stratification tends to be least pronounced in
